It’s a tough loss but the Blue Jackets get a point.
Dylan Guenther scored in overtime as the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.
The loss snaps Columbus’ five-game home winning streak but the point keeps alive their six-game point streak at Nationwide Arena.
Guenther has three goals and four points in his last two games including consecutive overtime game-winners.
Connor Ingram played in his 100th career NHL game and made 20 saves. He assisted on the game-winning goal. Elvis Merzlikins made 30 stops.
Werenski Sets Franchise Record, Extends Streak
Zach Werenski extended his home point streak to 20 games (13 goals, 24 assists) with a second-period assist.
The list is now:
— Ed Francis (@BlueJacketStats) February 7, 2025
Bobby Orr, 25 games (1974-75)
Paul Coffey, 23 games (1985-86)
Phil Housley, 22 games (1991-92)
Bobby Orr, 21 games (1970-71)
Zach Werenski, 20 games (Right. Now.)#CBJ https://t.co/MT6RaxONC7
Werenski's assist is his team-leading 41st, and his point is his team-leading 58th of the season, setting a Blue Jackets franchise record for defensemen. He tied Seth Jones' mark for points in a season just last year.
Zach Werenski, who will represent at the #4Nations Face-Off, joined Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey and Phil Housley as the fourth defenseman in NHL history to post a home point streak of 20-plus contests.#NHLStats: https://t.co/JST2BV2giB pic.twitter.com/sRUMeJYWqd
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 7, 2025
Right before the goal at 17:26, Damon Severson dropped the gloves with Michael Kesselring following a hit on Mikael Pyyhtia.
Michael Kesselring and Damon Severson go dancing. pic.twitter.com/aALRpyFLFk
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 7, 2025
Severson was also assessed two minutes for roughing but Ivan Provorov and the Jackets fed off the energy.
Provorov Stays Hot
Provorov scored his sixth of the season, his third in as many games, and his first career short-handed tally. Werenski picked up the assist on this tally.
Provorov's goal at 19:21 tied the game 2-2 in the second period, following Severson's fight and ensuing penalty.
Short-handed goal for Columbus!
— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 7, 2025
Scored by Ivan Provorov with 00:39 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Zach Werenski.
Columbus: 2
Utah: 2#UTAvsCBJ #CBJ #UtahHC pic.twitter.com/3DapoEcqEi
Jackets Lose, Gain Critical Point
The Blue Jackets have enjoyed home cooking all season long and while they suffered a rare defeat on home ice Thursday night, they still gained a key point.
They are one point on the outside of the final wild-card spot, trailing Detroit by one point and Ottawa by two points for the top spot.
Justin Danforth got the scoring started with his fourth at 5:51 of the first period. Jordan Harris picked up his third assist.
Justin Danforth picks up his 4th goal of the season in a sequence that started with a good bit of hustle in the corner to disrupt Utah's clearing attempt. He then charges to the net and is in prime position to put the #CBJ on the board, 1-0. pic.twitter.com/wH6a5uBIOG
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 7, 2025
That was #CBJ Justin Danforth's first goal since Nov. 18, a span of 18 games. He missed 18 games with a lower-body injury.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 7, 2025
The Jackets are now 11-0-2 when leading after the first period.
Kent Johnson did not record a point, ending his eight-game point streak. He's the third player in Blue Jackets history with multiple eight-plus game point streaks in the same season. Cam Atkinson (2018-19) and Ryan Johansen (2014-15) also did it.
The Jackets have gone eight straight games without a power-play goal (0-for-12).
One More Before Break
The Blue Jackets will face the New York Rangers on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. ET from Nationwide Arena in the last game before the Four Nations Face-Off. Columbus will resume action on Feb. 22.
